Evergreen Speedway Super Speedway of the West! – Northwest's Destination for Motorsports!
Evergreen Speedway Recap for 5/16/2015
The Rolling Thunder Big Rigs along with the return of the WESCO Sprint Cars provided a packed house at Evergreen Speedway with excitement that will be remembered for quite a while!
Reardon’s Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe presented the 2015 debut of the Rolling Thunder Big Rigs. In an interview during the Fan Fest, series owner Mike Gibbons explained that this group of racers is the real deal. “Don’t for a second think that we are going to put on an exhibition” Gibbons said. “These guys and gals are spot on serious about competition. It’s been a couple of years since we last raced at Evergreen Speedway and all of them are amped up about getting the season started”
The heat races proved Gibbons point, as the series only female driver Tammi Rodstrom thrilled the crowd with her 3-wide win. In the 25 lap main event, Rodstrom started on the pole and led the first few laps of the race. There was a caution on lap 2 as 3 trucks got tangled up in turn one. The trucks shuffled back and forth after the restart, until a mandatory caution at lap 12. This caution was used to cool the trucks down because of the extreme amount of heat generated during the race. Dustin Smith took the lead after the restart, and survived a furious charge from Dave Barr’s 1948 International. Smith took his 1967 Peterbilt to the checkered flag with Barr in second and Scott “Scooter” Zahn in third. Thanks to Reardon’s Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe for bringing this crowd pleasing group back to Evergreen Speedway.
Trenton Moriarty is on a kind of roll that hasn’t been seen at Evergreen Speedway in a long time. Last year’s Rookie of the Year and Series Champion in the Foster Press NASCAR Mini Stock division has been the top qualifier and main event winner in all 3 previous races this season, and continued his mastery of the division by setting fast time and winning the 25 lap main event. Scott Burby led over half the race until Moriarty asserted his Volkswagen around Burby’s Mustang to pull off the win. Brad Thomas finished 3rd.
The WESCO Sprint cars returned to the 3/8’s mile oval with Todd Coleman leading the 10 cars that attempted to qualify. Coleman turned a lap at 14.891 seconds and 90.659 miles per hour to set up the 30 lap main event. The 12 car of Cameron Neisenger broke out into the lead and held on until the engine blew up going into turn 3 with one lap to go. Todd Coleman raced the green-white-checkered finish to the end, with Greg Midendorf finishing 2nd and Olympia’s Doug Mc Lees took 3rd.
Six cars raced in the Outlaw Figure 8 division, with 2014 Champion Mike Steltz driving his DR Consulting car to the front until a collision with Chris Curtis going into turn 3 spun Steltz around ending his chance for his second straight win. The 33 Gunderson Speed Shop entry driven by Nick Gunderson picked up his first win of the season with Cowboy John Carlson in 2nd and Chris Curtis finishing 3rd.
The Northwest Pro 4 Trucks made their return to Evergreen Speedway with a nice 10 truck field. The 25 lap main event eventually came down to a father son battle between Aaron and Matt Green. The two ran away from the field until the 6 truck of Aaron green went away with engine issues, allowing son Matt to take the win. Rod Helmuth made his first start in a NWP4T filling in for Mike Tipps and finished 2nd with Rick Shaver finishing 3rd. Props to Hailey Wilkenson for her 4th place finish.
This weekend is going to be a huge one for all fans of Evergreen Speedway. The Tri-Track Super Late Model Series make its first appearance at Evergreen Speedway. The Galloway 150 Shootout will be run on Saturday May 23rd. The best Super Late Models in the Northwest will be racing on the longest track they will see this season, the 5’8’s mile oval at Evergreen Speedway. TTSLMS Points Leader Tayler Riddle will attempt to continue his quest for the 2015 Championship along with drivers Parker Stephens, Garrett Evans, Gary Lewis, Mike Longton doing battle with Evergreen drivers Doni Wanat, Jeff Knight, Brandon Scheiber, Andy Sole and 2014 Series Champion Mike Holden all expected to contend for the trophy at the end of 150 laps. The Galloway Shootout is a “must-win” race for all who enter. Fans are welcome to attend the Friday practice session from 5-9PM. Also on the schedule with be the return of both the Foreign Stock Car Racing Association Pro 4’s and the exciting Columbia River Legends.
Sunday the 24th will feature the Sean Peters Truck Fest Demo Derby along with the Monroe Grocery Outlet Super Stock Figure 8’s, Buzz Inn Steakhouse Stinger 8’s, the WWRA Bump to Pass cars, Boat Races and day #2 for the Columbia River Legends. The night will conclude with another incredible Memorial Day Fireworks display that Evergreen Speedway had become famous for over the years.
Tickets for all races this weekend and all season long are available on www.evergreenspeedway.com, or you can reserve the best seat in the house by calling the Speedway office at 360-805-6100. It’s a great way to make sure that you are in your favorite spot for the upcoming Evergreen Speedway Summer Showdown! Budweiser Speedweek begins on June 22nd with the 200 lap Summer Showdown being run on Saturday June 27th!